September Gardening Checklist

September is an excellent time to make new additions to your garden.  The cooler weather is easier to work in and new plants will have a chance to establish some root structure before spring.  Giving your plants a head start means that when the spring growing season finally rolls around they will have a chance to take full advantage of the weather.

 

Perennials

Dig up, dig in, and divide.  Plant bulbs for spring flowering, and be sure to give any newcomers a good share of water.

á             Starting now and over the next couple of months, once soil has cooled to less than 60 degrees F, plant bulbs of spring bloomers such as crocus, anemone, daffodils, hyacinths, and tulips in well-drained soil, about three times deeper than the diameter of the bulbs.

á             For an abundant tulip display, place 10 to 20 bulbs in a hole one foot in diameter; plant so that the bulbs aren't touching.

á             Iris and other early-blooming perennials can still be divided this month. Give them plenty of water after replanting.

á             Dig up and divide or transplant crowded perennials.

á             For swatches of fall color, plant mums, winter pansies, and flowering kale and cabbage.

á             Take cuttings from geraniums, 2 to 4 inches, for indoor winter flowering.

á             Plant perennials from seed by scattering them in an open bed or in individual rows. In the spring, the seedlings can be moved to more permanent locations.

 

 

Trees and shrubs

Fall is an ideal time to shop for and plant new trees and shrubs. They'll have a chance to establish roots over the winter so they can conserve energy for spring, and at nurseries you'll see the beginnings of true fall colors.

á             In many areas, this is the best month for planting evergreen trees and heathers.

á             Choose trees and shrubs with edible berries to provide meals for wildlife, or select for bright splashes of fall foliage.

á             Reduce watering for established shrubs and trees so they can harden off in preparation for winter.

á             Watch fruit trees for signs of mildew.

á             Take cuttings from roses.

 

 

Lawn care

With just a little bit of effort, you can overhaul your lawn's health this month to help it thrive in the fall, winter, and spring.

á             If September is rainy, begin raking leaves as they fall and grass clippings as you mow; otherwise they'll form mucky hideouts for pests.

á             Sod or seed new lawn areas.

á             Overseed bare patches in an established lawn; your grass will be more lush, and moss and weeds won't have as much room to take over.

á             If your lawn doesn't need thatching, now or over the next couple of months you can apply a fall or winter fertilizer to encourage nice green grass and healthy root development.

á             If needed, thatch now, followed by fertilizing and overseeding.

 

Pest control

Slugs are starting to lay new eggs right about now. Nip 'em at the bud.

á             Check the edge of lawns and underneath sticks and stones for signs of eggs. How do you recognize them? They come in nearly translucent clusters of 50 or so, with each egg about the size of a dried pea.

 

 

Maintenance

If you do these simple garden tasks on Labor Day weekend, you'll still have time for a weekend getaway.

á             Fall is another favorite season for many weeds. Catch them now, before they flower. If their seeds have a chance to spread, it means more time on your hands and knees in the future.

á             Remove spent annuals and put their husks in the compost, or use them as mulch for over-wintering plants.

 

Harvesting

Overripening is a September hazard, so check fruits and vegetables regularly. Be sure to harvest them if they look, feel, and/or taste ripe and ready.

á             Pick tomatoes if the weather is cooling down, and let them finish ripening indoors.

á             You can now harvest carrots, corn, and potatoes. While carrots, potatoes, and other root vegetables can be harvested for months to come, corn isn't as forgiving of cold.

á             Raid those fruit trees: Pick pears, plums, and apples now.

 

 

Houseplants

Bring houseplants inside and start preparing holiday plants for best health and bright color in December.

á             If you've been keeping houseplants outdoors, bring them inside before cool fall nights do any damage. Geraniums and other tender plants may also be moved indoors now.

á             Be sure to place houseplants away from open drafts as the weather cools. And do tender plants a favor: Don't expose them to direct sunlightÑespecially through frosted glass, which serves as a magnifier.

á             Starting about mid-month, the time is ripe for "seasoning" poinsettia and Thanksgiving and Christmas cacti. Give them a daily dose of 10 hours of bright daylight or 4 hours of direct sun, and 14 hours of night-darkness. Cacti need a cool environment of 50 to 60 degrees, while poinsettia prefer a warmer 65 to 72 degrees.